Archery or bow hunting in Southern Colorado

Archery or Bow Hunt

Regardless of whether you are looking for elk, deer, bear, antelope or turkey, bow hunting is a totally different challenge than hunting with a rifle. You have one chance. You can fire one arrow – that’s all it takes.

Bow hunting is silent but deadly. It is a true hunter / sportsman experience. Most of all kills with a bow are made at a relatively short distance, on average approximately 30 yards. Bow hunting requires patience, excellent hunting skills, good reflexes and, of course, top-notch hunting gear. Success includes the animal, the hunter, the guide, the location and a little bit of luck.

Here in Colorado we offer unforgettable bow hunts for deer, bull and cow elk, bear, antelope and turkey. Our archery hunts are very limited. We suggest that you use one of our permanent tree stands. You can bring your own, but wild animals are easily spooked by any changes and new scents.

If you are an experienced bow hunter, you know what to expect. If you are a novice bow hunter, here are a few tips:

  • Wash your hunting clothes two months in advance
  • Do not use any soap or detergent
  • Store these clothes where they can’t pick up additional scents. I.E.-don’t put them near a BBQ-Grill or in a garage etc.
  • Store and transport your hunting clothes in a sealed bag or container
  • Change into your hunting clothes when you arrive at your hunting area
  • Don’t wear hunting clothes at the campsite, bar etc.
  • Shower and wash with neutral, non-scented soap like Ivory
  • Avoid eating garlic, onions and other strong seasonings
  • Eat breakfast and drink coffee AFTER your morning hunt
  • Do not eat fried chicken, donuts or ice cream before your hunt. You want to be the hunter, NOT the bait!
  • Don’t use any bug spray or mosquito repellent.
  • Know your bow
  • Make certain your sight is properly adjusted.
  • Make sure you nock your arrow correctly
  • Wear the right clothes adjustable with weather conditions
  • Make sure your guide does the same. (Just kidding – we know what we’re doing)

archery

5 x 5 mule deer killed with compound bow
5 x 5 mule deer killed with compound bow

5 x 5 elk bull killed with bow
5 x 5 elk bull killed with bow
See – you are not the first bow hunter on this property

Our permanent tree stands are placed where you have a clear view of a very attractive/inviting water hole or of a game trail next to a creek. Which location is better will be determined by the species you are hunting, the amount of fresh tracks, weather and wind direction.(Usually the best technique for elk is a combination of stalking and bugling.)

If you prefer, you can hunt from a ground blind. Sometimes conditions necessitate changes in location and strategy. The best hunting time for deer is early in the morning and before sunset. You need lots of patience, and sometimes rattling brings in the big bucks. Black bears are very unpredictable, but usually the early morning hours and right before sunset are the most successful hunting times. Bears roam a very large area and most times they move in without making any noise. We would suggest and prefer that you hunt bears from a tree stand and not from a ground blind. It gives you a great kick, if you stand next to a bear,but it makes it really hard to keep your nerves under control and do the right thing.

So, go in the tree stand and maximize your chances and your safety.

We recommend bows with at least 50 lbs draw and heavy razor sharp arrowheads, which are able to crack through bones. You should be able to place a good deadly shot from 20 – 50 yards distance. Sometimes you have to sit still in the tree stand for a few hours. You must be able to keep your excitement under control. We know how hard it is to keep the adrenalin under control when a big trophy animal moves in. You should train to make shots from the ground and from a tree stand.

Make sure, you know how to handle your bow and arrows safe, even under low light conditions. After you have shot an animal, it usually doesn’t drop right on the spot, so remember the direction it disappeared. If you find the arrow, leave it right where it is, mark the spot and the direction in which the animal disappeared immediately with an orange ribbon. Do not go after a wounded animal without us, a wounded bear is no fun, and your bow is useless in the thick brush. If you make the wrong decision at this point, you might lose your trophy.

It would be great if we could have you here for one of our exciting bow hunts.